The following description comes from the event organizer.

The Jefferson Dancers Benefit event is a collaborative effort created from the necessity to support the arts in local schools, reconnect our community, and promote unity through the healing message of music and the performing arts!

Our objective is to advocate for inclusion, equality, and support of our local schools.

This special weekend of dance and music is part of the Elevate Unity & Alberta Abbey mission to champion diverse programming for all who support performing arts, mentoring youth, community love & unity!
 
TAHIRAH MEMORY BAND
Ever relevant singer/songwriter Tahirah Memory is a Portland, Oregon native. Raised by a willful, loving and resourceful mother, and shaped at an early age by the vibration and melodic hands of her jazz trumpeter father, Tahirah asserted her love for music extremely early in her childhood. Some of her fondest memories begin in her toddler years attending summer festivals in the parks to hear her father play funk, jazz, and soul music under the hot summer sun. Singing full voice in the empty hallways after school at age 8, to make use of the amazing acoustics, and reinventing music videos or creating showcases to perform for family became frequent occurrences. Listening to r&b vocalists on vinyl and emulating their every note, created a love undeniable for the classic love song. Tahirah knew very early singing on a larger platform would be her passion and dream. So, after pursuing academic endeavors, she began to write and sing.

Described as having "...a beautiful instrument, a truly warm and gorgeous sound..." audiences have been inclined to feel as though they come away from a performance post an intimate conversation rather than crowded venue. One listener says there is a "...natural honest element...as though singing is an extension of her breathing." The dynamic tones, soulful melodies and cryptic but honest references truly show Tahirah's ability to relate to an audience using her voice to "...creatively and musically express feelings behind songs in ways that delight and surprise and move..." With fibers in a jazz-rooted father, a chaotic upbringing, an intense sense of feel, a love for old soul, an open ear for all music, and a respect for current rhythm and blues, Tahirah's sound is unlike any other, sounding distinctly like her personal truth.”
 
Jefferson Dancers
The Jefferson Dancers are a multi-ethnic company of 14–18 dancers comprised of the school's most advanced dance students who attend Jefferson High School for dance training. For 48 years, these elite dancers have been committed to performing throughout the Portland metropolitan area and beyond. For more information on Jefferson's first company of dancers, visit jeffersondancers.com.

Jefferson Dancers II
Jefferson Dancers II are the second company at Jefferson High School and a performing group like the Jefferson Dancers. Dancers in JDII have the opportunity to gain performance experience and to work toward being in the first company.

Jefferson Dance Program
For over 48 years, the dance program at Jefferson has offered high-quality dance training. Jefferson High School/Middle College for Advanced Studies offers dance technique classes and performing opportunities for full-time students, with dance classes taught in professional studios by instructors with experience as professional dancers and/or choreographers. In addition, students can study with world-renowned artists in residency programs and audition for post-secondary training schools and colleges.